Chapter 50: The Burglary Incident

While Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian were speaking, Nianyu was already at the dressing table, opening the brocade box and searching for the jade pendant. She rummaged for a long while but found nothing. Turning around in surprise, she said, “Madam, was the jade pendant really in this brocade box?”

“Yes, after I took it off that day, I just put it in that box. How could it be missing? Look more carefully.”

Nianyu searched again but still found nothing. “Madam, it’s gone. I’ve emptied everything from the box and searched thoroughly. Madam, are you sure you remember correctly?”

“How could I be mistaken? Try looking in the other brocade boxes.”

Nianyu checked every box on the dressing table, but the jade pendant was nowhere to be found. Unwilling to give up, she nearly turned the entire room upside down, but to no avail. “Madam, it’s missing. The jade pendant is gone.”

Ning Qian, frowning, forced herself to sit up. “How is that possible? I remember clearly putting it in that box. How could it disappear?”

“Madam, could someone have stolen it?”

“Impossible. Only you and Shuni can enter this room. Besides you two, who else could come in? And you would never steal, so this is truly strange.”

“You’re right, Madam. Other than us, no one else can get in here.”

“Wait, that’s not right.” Suddenly, Ning Qian exclaimed, “I remember now—today I asked Yuzhi to get some money from the brocade box. Could it be her?”

“Nianyu, go and bring Yuzhi here,” Yu Ziqi commanded.

Nianyu glanced at Yu Ziqi, then at Ning Qian, nodded, and left the room. A while later, she returned with Yuzhi. “Young Master, Madam, Yuzhi is here.”

Yu Ziqi gave a cold snort. “Yuzhi, do you know the rules of this household? If anyone dares to be dishonest, I will not forgive them easily. You’ve served in this house for some time; you should understand this, shouldn’t you?”

“Young Master, I understand. But I don’t quite grasp what you mean.”

“You don’t? Didn’t Madam ask you to get a brocade pouch from that box today?”

“Yes, Madam wasn’t feeling well this morning and asked me to fetch a brocade pouch from that box. There were five taels of silver inside. Young Master, has something happened?”

“Madam’s jade pendant was in that box, but when we just looked for it, it was gone.”

Yuzhi, flustered, dropped to her knees. “Young Master, I swear it wasn’t me. How could I dare steal something right under Madam’s nose? I would never dare!”

“Hmph, if it wasn’t you, then who else could it be? Apart from Nianyu and Shuni, only you have been in this room. Nianyu and Shuni came with Madam from her family’s house; they would never steal. So, who else could it be?”

“Young Master, I truly didn’t take it. If you don’t believe me, send someone to search my room.”

“Very well. Nianyu, you and Shuni go with her and search her room.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Nianyu led Yuzhi out as both waited for the result. About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Nianyu returned with Yuzhi. “Madam, just as expected, we found the jade pendant in Yuzhi’s room.”

Yuzhi was dumbfounded. She couldn’t understand how the jade pendant had ended up in her room. But there was no time for confusion—she knew exactly what happened to those caught stealing. She rushed over and knelt at Yu Ziqi’s feet, clutching his robe. “Young Master, I truly didn’t steal it, I…”

Yu Ziqi shook her off. “Now that the evidence is clear, what more is there to say? I will not tolerate anyone dishonest in my household. Nianyu, take her out and hand her over to the housekeeper’s wife. She’ll know how to deal with her. In any case, I never want to see her in this courtyard again.”

Yuzhi could no longer speak through her tears. She knelt on the floor, dazed and unresponsive. Nianyu and Shuni each took an arm and led her out.

Once the room was quiet again, Yu Ziqi laughed. “Enough, stop pretending. Get up.”

Ning Qian tossed aside the cloth on her forehead and sat up. “Heh, you saw right through me, as always. You said you’d have my back, and all I want is to avoid trouble in the future. You don’t blame me, do you?”

“Of course not. Go ahead and do as you see fit. If things get out of hand, just let me know.”

“Rest assured, I can handle those three safely. By the way, if they’re all gone, we might be short-staffed here. Can you find trustworthy replacements?”

Yu Ziqi mused for a moment. “These things can’t be rushed. Let Shuni and Nianyu manage for now. I’ll see to the rest. Since you’re unwell today, you should rest. I still have things to do and need to leave after eating. Don’t bother getting up.”

Ning Qian was more than happy to be lazy, lying back down with a smile. She hadn’t expected to get rid of someone so easily. However, if the eldest madam found out, she would surely be furious.

That afternoon, the housekeeper’s wife came to the courtyard to see Ning Qian. But Ning Qian, claiming discomfort, refused to receive her and sent Nianyu instead. The result satisfied her—Yuzhi had been reassigned to another courtyard and only two maids remained. Once those two were dealt with, her troubles would be greatly reduced. Just thinking about it made her want to laugh in her dreams.

Ning Qian was right. The day after Yuzhi’s incident, shortly after breakfast, the eldest madam arrived with several attendants. Entering the room, she called out, “Sister-in-law, I heard you were ill. Are you feeling better?”

How could she not be well? She hadn’t been ill in the first place. Keeping a smile on her face, Ning Qian greeted her, “Sister, thank you for your concern. I caught a chill yesterday, but it’s nothing serious.” As they spoke, Nianyu had already prepared tea and refreshments. “Sister, this is the finest Yunwu tea. See if it suits your taste.”

The eldest madam smiled and nodded, taking a sip before speaking. “It truly is excellent tea. Sister-in-law, I’m glad you’re well. By the way, I heard there was a theft in your courtyard yesterday?”

“Yes, I never imagined such a thing would happen here. My husband was furious and handed Yuzhi over to the housekeeper’s wife for punishment.”

The eldest madam’s expression flickered slightly. “So it was handled by the third master. That girl is as foolish as a pig. How could she do such a thing? I must apologize, sister-in-law. I helped select the maids for your house, and I didn’t see this coming. It seems I misjudged.”